On 23 and 24 May, the original Chinese musical 'Carrot', co-produced by Earbaby Troupe and YK Pao School, was performed at Shanghai Magnolia Theatre. This play, in which students played a leading role in production, design and promotion as well as acting, attracted a large audience and earned widespread acclaim. Featuring 18 original songs, 'Carrot' enabled students to learn how to perform a musical. They now have some valuable acting experience under their belts.
The 'Carrot' musical aims to express the complex relationship between human beings and the natural world, urging us to protect the environment and reduce electronic waste. The play is performed as a musical to teach students about this unique type of performance and allows them to enjoy the distinct charms of Chinese drama.
Pao School's drama programme is well known in China for its comprehensive offerings. On top of after-class enrichment courses, it has also been effectively integrated into the overall curriculum, training students to use the spoken word, voice, body language and emotions to express themselves onstage. This stimulates their creativity and helps them to cultivate acting talent. At the same time, Pao School integrates drama into Chinese-language teaching. The School promotes students’ self-expression and makes them understand the personality and relationship of characters. In addition, the Character Education team, made up of parents, will regularly play a skit to deliver the School's expectations to students.
Pao School's Chinese drama is a paramount activity held every three years. To ensure the show's professionalism, Pao School invited the director Zhang Chenting and Earbaby Troupe to be part of the production.
The backstage team was also an integral part of the production. Pao School has a special Chinese Drama Committee - including teachers, volunteers and students - responsible for costumes and makeup, stage design, rehearsals, communication with parents and merchandising.
The role ‘Printer’: I received a lot of encouragement and confidence. I feared being on stage before, but now my stage fright is gone and I feel free to express myself.
The role ‘Camera’: I co-starred as ‘Electronic Waste'. During 'Carrot', I closely followed the director and did my best to figure out how to play my role. In the end I got the leading role because of the efforts I made. I’m proud of myself.
One of the co-stars, ‘Little Jute Bag’: I really liked 'Carrot'. The play taught me a lot about the importance of environmental protection. From now on, I will remind others that they should not contribute to the electronic waste problem.
Our performers worked tirelessly to ensure the show went off without a hitch, even those actors and actresses who suffered from physical discomfort. The student who played the role ‘iPad99’ started off rehearsing on crutches because of a foot injury. On the day of the show, the 'Alpha Dog' actor, suffering from a cough, drank plenty of water and took a cough suppressant to ensure he could perform his role well.
Mrs. Sohmen came to the theatre and cheered for our performers.
After the performance, Crick Chen, Acting Executive Principal of Primary Division, said onstage:
"I have two words to express my feeling: They are 'surprised' and 'grateful'. I’m surprised at the magnificent set, props and special effects, and I'm grateful to everyone involved in the production, including the whole team backstage and especially the performers, who rehearsed for nearly a semester to prepare for the performance tonight'."
Indeed, it was a splendid performance. As the audience rose to their feet, the sound of their ebullient applause filling the theatre, the 'Carrot' team knew that their unflagging efforts had come to fruition at last. They savoured the moment, even as their minds raced ahead; they were already thinking about which play they would perform next. To ensure those students who are interested in stage performances to have the chance to develop their acting skills, Pao School will continue to deepen its drama programme in the future. Stay tuned!
